Springs Are Everywhere

Forces Reshaping the Industrial Economy

Manufacturers are navigating a perfect storm — tight margins, expensive capital, workforce shortages, policy uncertainty, and rapid technological disruption. In this episode, host Gary McCoy, Executive Director of SMI, sits down with author and industry strategist Dan Varroney to unpack the forces reshaping the industrial economy and what small and mid‑size manufacturers can do to stay competitive. Varroney, founder of Potomac Core and author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Rethinking Economic Growth, brings decades of experience working with manufacturers and trade associations nationwide. Together, Gary and Dan explore: * The “three M’s” driving today’s challenges: margins, money, and manpower * How sector profitability reveals whether an industry is gaining or losing competitiveness * Policy gaps that disproportionately impact small and mid‑size manufacturers * What a truly pro‑growth policy environment should look like in 2026 and beyond * How value‑chain partnerships strengthen advocacy and resilience * Innovative workforce strategies, including second‑chance hiring and community college partnerships * Long‑term approaches to supply chain resilience, onshoring, and nearshoring * How AI, automation, and machine learning are reshaping industrial competitiveness * Why scenario planning is essential for leaders navigating uncertainty You’ll also hear real‑world examples from Dan’s research — spanning tooling, machining, energy, and advanced manufacturing — plus insights on leadership, risk, and the future of the American industrial base. Learn more about Dan Varroney and his work: https://danielvarroney.com https://potomaccore.com/ And don’t miss our “Did You Know?” segment, where we break down the spring‑powered mechanism inside your car’s seatbelt retractor — a reminder that springs truly are everywhere. Springs Are Everywhere explores the issues shaping modern manufacturing and highlights the surprising ways springs show up in everyday life — from cars to cellphones to workplace equipment. Sponsors: Platinum — Gibbs Interwire (gibbswire.com) Gold — Radcliff Wire (radcliffwire.com) Silver — Automated Industrial Motion (aimcoil.com) Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at smihq.org. #smi #springsareeverywhere #manufacturing #leadership #supplychain #AI #workforce

How to Compete on Awesome with AI

In the first episode of Season 3 of the Springs Are Everywhere podcast, host Gary McCoy welcomes Susan Frew—international business leader, TEDx speaker, and author ofCompete on Awesome with AI. Her book equips entrepreneurs to stop competing on average and start winning with bold, practical AI strategies.   This episode delivers a clear, actionable conversation for anyone looking to bring AI into everyday business operations. Susan breaks down how to make AI accessible, profitable, and even enjoyable. She also offers a preview of her upcoming session at the SMI Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico and shares what attendees canexpect to take away.   The Springs Are Everywhere podcast explores key issues facing manufacturers and highlights the surprising ways springs show up in daily life. From cars to cellphones toworkplace equipment, springs are everywhere—often hidden in plain sight.   This episode is made possible by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com [http://www.gibbswire.com]); our Gold Sponsor, Radcliff Wire (radcliffwire.com [https://radcliffwire.com]); and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com [http://www.aimcoil.com]).   Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at www.smihq.org [http://www.smihq.org]. #smi #springsareeverywhere #manufacturing #AI

Smart Safety and the Future of Manufacturing

In this episode of the Springs Everywhere podcast, host Gary McCoy sits down with Dr. Laura Helmrich-Rhodes — board‑certified safety professional, associate professor, and SMI’s longtime regulatory and compliance consultant — for a deep, practical conversation about the state of safety inmodern manufacturing.   Rhodes talks about the biggest safety risks in manufacturing, the daily habits that actually prevent injuries and how “smart safety” will reshape the future. She also shares a preview of her session at the SMI Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico andexplains how SMI members can tap into her expertise year‑round.   A powerful, practical conversation for every manufacturing leader.   Please note an update from Rhodes regarding the cost of musculoskeletal disorders: "More than half (56%) of workplace injuries impact the back, shoulder, knee, ormultiple body parts — costing nearly $32.6 billion."  That’s according to the Workplace Safety Index from Liberty Mutual Business Insurance.   You can connect with Rhodes through LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/laura-helmrich-rhodes-ed-d-shrm-scp-csp-65921711], email laurahrhodes@gmail.com [laurahrhodes@gmail.com] or contact SMI at 847-450-6848.   The Springs Are Everywhere podcast highlights critical issues facing manufacturers and gives a brief glimpse of products that contain springs! Though often hidden in plain sight, springs are part of everyone’s daily life and used in products commonly found in your car, cellphone or workplace.   This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com [http://www.gibbswire.com]) and our SilverSponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com [http://www.aimcoil.com]).   Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at www.smihq.org [http://www.smihq.org]. #smi #springsareeverywhere #manufacturing #safety

Winning at Leadership and Reshoring

This edition includes Desmond Clark, a former NFL tight end with the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. He’s now an entrepreneur serving as the owner, president and CEO of Bear Down Logistics. Desmond is a motivational speaker and the author of “Principles of Winning: 5 Keys to Create a Standard of Excellence.” He’ll be one of the featured speakers for SMI’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico. Desmond talks about the influence of his childhood, important lessons he learned while playing professional football and how it translates to how he now conducts business. He also talks about the motivation to write his book and how it has impacted others. You can connect with Desmond Clark on LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/desmondclark88]. You can also visit his websites at dezclarkspeaks.com [https://www.dezclarkspeaks.com/] or beardown-logistics.com [https://www.beardown-logistics.com/]. This edition also features Harry Moser the founder and president of the Reshoring Initiative. Many would call the Reshoring Initiative championed by Harry as the first foray into a national drive towards reviving manufacturing in the U.S. The mission of the organization is to bring good, well-paying manufacturing jobs back to the United States.’’ Harry talks about the important role of reshoring in bringing jobs back to the U.S., why companies originally decided to reshore and and how the landscape has changed more recently. He also talks about how reshoring aligns with a company's long-term competitive strategy.   The Reshoring Initiative website can be found at www.reshorenow.org [http://www.reshorenow.org] You can reach Harry through LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/harry-moser-58a8024], by email at: harry.moser@reshorenow.org [harry.moser@reshorenow.org]or phone 847-867-1144. The Springs Are Everywhere podcast highlights critical issues facing manufacturers and gives a brief glimpse of products that contain springs! Though often hidden in plain sight, springs are part of everyone’s daily life and used in products commonly found in your car, cellphone or at your workplace. This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com [http://www.gibbswire.com]) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com [http://www.aimcoil.com]). Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at www.smihq.org [http://www.smihq.org]. #smi #springsareeverywhere #manufacturing #reshoring

Finding Workers and Leadership Lessons

This edition includes Clay Martin, the founder of Isla Talent. Clay’s company is a staffing agency that specializes in recruiting skilled blue-collar workers from Puerto Rico in an effort to connect U.S. employers with top-tier talent across various industries. With attracting qualified workers being among the most challenging aspects of being a manufacturer, you will learn about the advantages of recruiting workers from Puerto Rico. Visit http://www.recruitingpuertorico.com [http://www.recruitingpuertorico.com/] or contact Clay Martin at clay@recruitingpuertorico.com [clay@recruitingpuertorico.com]. This edition also features Dr. John Passante. John is president of the Organizational Development Group where, among many talents, he is an executive coach and keynote speaker. He has worked for many notable corporations during his career and is the author of “The Human Side: High-Touch Leadership in a High-Tech World.” You will learn from John about the need for the human touch in leadership and how kindness is needed more than ever today. You can reach John at theorgdevgroup@gmail.com [theorgdevgroup@gmail.com] or by phone at 401-252-9430. The Springs Are Everywhere podcast highlights critical issues facing manufacturers and gives a brief glimpse of products that contain springs! Though often hidden in plain sight, springs are part of everyone’s daily life and used in products commonly found in your car, cellphone or workplace. This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (http://www.gibbswire.com [http://www.gibbswire.com]) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (http://www.aimcoil.com [http://www.aimcoil.com]). Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at http://www.smihq.org [http://www.smihq.org]. #smi #springsareeverywhere #manufacturing